Beirut Blast: Solidarity with Lebanon
On August 4, multiple explosions wrecked havoc near the port of Lebanon’s capital city Beirut. The damage, caused by approximately 2,750 metric tons of the explosive ammonium nitrate, estimates up to $5 billion. According to officials, more than 100 people were killed due to the blasts and around 4,000 were injured. At least 300,000 people have been left homeless after this catastrophic incident. Women journalists in Beirut have been reporting on the ground since the explosions ripped through the city. Some of them have also sustained injuries and received first aid before getting back to work. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is monitoring the situation in Beirut and updating this web page as new developments continue to take place.
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Women Journalists Injured In Beirut Port Explosion
These women journalists based in Beirut have been injured as a result of the explosion. Despite the injuries, we are glad that they received necessary medical help and are back in the field to report.
Leila Molana - Allen
Leila Molana-Allen is the Middle East Correspondent of France 24, based in Beirut, Lebanon. As a foreign correspondent and a broadcast journalist she has covered life in Lebanon and the Middle East, mainly working on politics and social movements. You can see some of her work here: https://leilama.com/. You can also follow her on twitter: @Leila_MA.
Leila’s apartment was blown apart and all the buildings in her block were destroyed with the explosions. As a result, Leila suffered a serious foot injury that was bleeding but selflessly she didn’t want to go to the hospital at first to not overcrowd the hospital, thinking about those with more serious injuries. She eventually made it to the hospital 6 hours later to get stitches.
As soon as she was discharged, Leila started reporting on the events, speaking to several TV stations to give them details and updates.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is glad to hear of Leila’s recovery and thanks her for her selfless service.
Sarah El Deeb
Sarah El Deeb is Associated Press’ Middle East correspondent covering Syria and Lebanon. Priorly she has worked for the Washington Post and the Daily Mail. You can follow her twitter @seldeeb.
During the explosions on Wednesday Sarah was wounded and needed stitches. The explosion also left her temporarily homeless as the glasses of her apartment were shattered. Al Monitor’s Middle East Correspondent Amberin Zaman, in her message of solidarity called her “one of the greatest voices in the region.”
Indeed, Sarah the next day got back to job, amplifying the work of volunteers and frontline workers. “Lebanese have been forced to learn self-reliance throughout the country's painful history. Beirut was split in half during the 1975-1990 civil war, and in the years since has been rocked by a war with Israel, targeted killings and terror attacks.
But Tuesday's explosion was the worst the city has ever seen.” Sarah wrote in her most recent article.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism wishes Sarah a speedy recovery in these days where her journalism is much needed.
Anchal Vohra
Anchal Vohra is a Journalist based in Beirut. As the Middle East correspondent for Al Jazeera, she also covers South Asia and writes for Foreign Policy and The Times. You can follow her on Twitter @anchalvohra
Anchal lives just a mile from where the explosion happened and shards of glass pierced her neck along with leaving her with a broken foot. Her house also crumbled as a result of the explosion.
The next day, in an article she wrote for the foreign policy, she said: “Had I been sitting in my study, an oval-shaped room with large glass windows, or the dining room, decorated with art-deco doors, I could have died. Had I been with my husband, we both could have died. I didn’t. We didn’t. We were lucky.”
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is thankful that Anchal is alive and okay as she reported.
Vivian Yee
Vivian Yee is a former U.S. immigration reporter who is now the Middle East correspondent for The New York Times. You can follow Vivian’s work here: https://www.nytimes.com/by/vivian-yee and through her twitter: @VivianHYee
Vivian was just about to look at a video of the first explosion, when seconds later the second one hit, shaking her apartment building and injuring her with glass shards.
In her gone-viral article the next day, she recounted the incident with these words: “When the world stopped cracking open, I couldn’t see at first because of the blood running down my face. After blinking the blood from my eyes, I tried to take in the sight of my apartment turned into a demolition site. My yellow front door had been hurled on top of my dining table. I couldn’t find my passport, or even any sturdy shoes.”
The touching article emphasised that the Beirutis drew on experience and treated her, “a stranger” like a friend.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is sending best wishes to Vivian who thankfully survived her injuries.
Hwaida Saad
Hwaida Saad is a Lebanese freelance journalist who writes for The New York Times. You can follow her work here: https://www.nytimes.com/by/hwaida-saad and follow her on twitter here: @hwaida_saad.
A member of CFWIJ, sustained injuries on Wednesday during the explosions which required stitches to stop bleeding.
Hwaida is an advocate for women in journalism and covers the Middle East tirelessly. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is grateful that she recovered from her injuries as was reported to us.
Ibtisam Ghoneim
Ibtisam Ghoneim is the Chief editor of Al-Sahifa Newspaper and TV representer on Alaraby TV. Ibtisam is known for her coverage for culture and literature in the Lebanese Society. Ibtisam was injured while riding her car near the explosion site. Pictures showed her soaked in blood with her hand having to be operated. Ibtisam spent the night in the hospital following her surgery.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism wishes Ibtisam a speedy recovery in what must be a devastating time of her life and career.
Fabia Aoun
Fabia Aoun, correspondent of Fuchia magazine in Lebanon was injured during the explosion while she was passing near the Gemmayzeh area while she was on her way to work. Fabia suffered severe bleeding in her head as a result of glass shards from buildings and a tree that fell on a vehicle which exploded its windows. She was initially taken to the Wardia Hospital by passersby but due to overcrowding and short staffing in the hospital she had to be transferred to another hospital, bleeding for 3 hours. Finally the hospital in Jounieh gave her first head and treated her swollen feet. Fabia said she is healed and is currently at home, but she is in a difficult psychological state, not being able to sleep after seeing the horrific scenes of the explosion which took so many lives and injured even more.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands with Fabia during these catastrophic days. We wish her body and soul health and healing.
Reine Bou Moussa
Reine Bou Moussa is the head of social media at Alnahar Newspaper. She also works as an online editor and web tv producer.
Reine covers a wide spectrum of issues including but limited to Coronavirus updates, protests and social uprisings. She was injured in Annahar newspaper office which exploded in the blast.
Salwa Baalbaky
Salwa Baalbaky is a Journalist in Annahar Newspaper. Salwa was injured in Annahar newspapers headquarters where she works as the Senior editor of the Economics section.
Salwa was also injured by glass shards which shattered the windows of Annahar’s headquarters.
Rana Najjar
Rana Najjar is a reporter at Al Hayat Newspaper and investigative journalist in Arij.
Priorly, Rana worked at UN Lebanon as a Video producer and as a reporter in Future TV and Safir newspaper.
Rana was injured during the explosions while working at Al Hayat Newspaper headquarters.
Hanadi El Diri
Hanadi El diri is a journalist for Annahar newspaper. She writes on Fashion, Culture and social life in Lebanon.
The explosions which injured many of her co-workers at the newspaper’s headquarters caught her at home.
Hala Saghbini
Hala Saghbini is the economics and finance page reporter of Annahar newspaper and the economics editor of Annahar Alaraby website which was launched the very same day as the explosions.
Hala used to work as the Media Advisor to the Ex-Minister of interior and municipalities.
The explosion which destroyed Annahar headquarter’s office injured Hala in the right hand which she uses to write with but as soon as getting medical attention Hala went back to reporting.
Women Journalists Whose Homes Were Damaged Due To Explosions
Beirut explosions that killed more than 150 people and wounded thousands caused destruction of businesses, shops and newsrooms as well as tearing through homes. The following journalists who report despite hardships had to evacuate their homes due to the damage.
Abbie Cheeseman
Freelancer
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Anchal Vohra
Freelancer
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Anna Maria Ohan Guzelian
EFE Noticias
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Leila Molana - Allen
France 24
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Liz Sly
Washington Post
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Lizzie Porter
Iraq Oil Report
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Nada Homsi
NPR
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Rayane Moussallem
AFP
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Rima Maktabi
Al Arabiya
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Sarah El Deeb
AP
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Sarah Dadouch
Washington Post
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Women Journalists On The Ground In Lebanon
Find women journalists on the ground reporting on the Beirut blasts amid destruction, injuries and limited resources. We appreciates their hard work and extend our support.
Hanan Esaa
Alghad TV
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Larissa Aoun
Sky News Arabia
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Helen Sullivan
The Guardian
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Leen Alfaisal
Al Arabiya English
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Leila Khalil
Alghad TV
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Zeina Karam
AP News
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Malak Khalil
Al Jazeera
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Chole Cornish
Financial Times
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Linah Alsaafin
Al Jazeera English
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Tamara Qiblawl
CNN
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Dalal Mawad
AP News
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Darine Elhelwe
Sky News Arabia
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Sarah Dadouch
Washington Post
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Maya Ammar
Freelancer
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Sarah El Deeb
AP News
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Leila Molana-Allen
France 24
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Lizzie Porter
Iraq Oil Report
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Maya Gebeily
AFP
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Ghada Alsharif
Daily Star Lebanon
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Sunniva Rose
The National UAE
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Nada Homsi
NPR
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Abir Ghattas
Freelancer
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Ghinwa Obeid
Freelancer
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Layal Abou Raha
AFP
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Lara Bitar
The Public Source
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Diana Moukalled
Freelancer
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Layal Hadad
Al-Araby Al-Jadeed
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Vivian Yee
The New York Times
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Rachel Karam
Al Jadeed News
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Abby Sewell
Freelancer
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Amani Geha
Al Araby TV
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Alia Awada
Sharika Walaken
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Doja Daoud
New Arab
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Rosa Menses
El Mundo
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Luna Safwan
Freelancer
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Bel Trew
The Independent
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Sidsel Wold
NRK
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Lindsay Hilsum
Channel 4 News
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Hayat Mirshad
Sharika Walaken
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Zeina Khodr
Al Jazeera English
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Aya Majzoub
Human Rights Watch
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Lina Sinjab
BBC
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Zeina Khodr
Al Jazeera English
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Lina Tamim
Virgin Radio Stars Lebanon
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Joyce Karam
The National UAE
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Antonia Williams-Annunziata
Freelancer
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Rita Kabalan
Middle East Eye
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Layal Bou Moussa
Al Jadeed News
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Farah-Silvana Kanaan
Freelancer
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Houshig Kaymakamian
The Daily Star Lebanon
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Lynn Zovighian
Annahar
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Myriam Boulas
Freelancer
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Ans Boersma
Freelancer
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Resources for Journalists
CFWIJ has compiled these resources for women journalists to follow, as they hit the ground for reporting. Safety guidelines, emergency funds, assistance programs are all listed below to help benefit journalists reporting in Beirut.
Journalist Assitance Program
CPJ provides legal, medical, and relocation assistance to journalists at risk.
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RSF Supporting Program
RSF aims to help media outlets to maintain operational capacity in the event of problems.
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Emergency Funding for the Media
Free Press Unlimited has a direct assistance to journalists and media outlets.
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Emergency Grant
IWMF provides medical aid and relocation assistance.
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IMS Safety Fund
IMS provides relocation and safety support.
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Lifeline Fund
Lifeline offers short-term emergency grants.
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Assistance Program
They support freelance newsgatherers and their families.
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Journalists in Distress Fund
CJFE covers medical expenses, transportation costs to flee a dangerous situation.
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Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding campaign aims to help victims of the explosion.
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Help Lebanon
Donate Money and blood for the victims.
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Locating Victims
They aim to help identifying and locating victims.
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Emergency Grant
They provides relocation and legal support..
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AUB Donation Community
AUB started a donation campaign to help treat and support victims.
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Fundraiser
Oz Katerji’s fundraiser in order to raise as much money as possible to help ICRC..
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Smile&Olive Foundation
They are raising £50,000 to help the victims of the catastrophic explosion in Beirut.
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Fundraiser
Amel Association International and 3 others are organizing this fundraiser.
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Humanity & Inclusion
You can deliver vital rehabilitation care to people injured in the blast
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Kuwait Red Crescent
Find Lebanon Relief Campaign.
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Emergency Grant
IHH has started Emergency Aid For Lebanon.
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Arcenciel Development Fund
Arcenciel is leading a donation campaign.
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Housing
Find a spreadsheet on volunteers that provide shelter.
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Mapping
Find a map of available shelters.
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Donation
Find shelter aid by offre-joie.
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Childrens’ Organisation
They aim to save the lives of children..
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Fund for Children
They aim to save the children field workers report that entire streets have been wiped out by the explosion.
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Bank to School
They aim to reach s donation of 300 USD for children
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SOS Children’s Villages
They lead a donation campaign to protect children
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Mercy Corps
They provide hygiene kits and economical relief
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Funding list
Peter Harling shares a list of useful resources.
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Emergency call
François-Philippe Champagne shares the number of emergency consular assistance
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Dart Center for Journalism
Journalists can consult some tips on trauma-informed interviewing
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Flights for domestic workers
They help to leave Lebanon and go back home.
Emergency relief
ICFJ distribute emergency relief funding to support the stabilization and recovery needs of news organizations affected by the Beirut explosion.
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Twitter Campaign
Follow our Twitter thread on the Beirut explosions here.